Dr. Susan V. Bryant and Dr. David Gardiner and their team of researchers at the University of California, Irvine illustrates how axolotls can grow a third limb via wounding and grafting of neighboring cells.

Dr. David Gardiner was featured on Brains On! — a science podcast for kids from Minnesota Public Radio News and Southern California Public Radio. “Alexander, 11 years old kid, question how axolotls can regrow their limbs.” On the topic of regeneration, kids and many adults tend to gear towards an idea similar to Wolverine’s ability to regenerate limbs. However, the science of regeneration includes the process of renewal, restoration and growth. Skin healing and regrowing limbs may be similar, but are also different. Dr. Gardiner explains the science behind regeneration in an interesting way, yet simple enough for kids to understand.